Alternative Overfishing Solutions

MiAlgae, a pioneering Scottish company, has created a groundbreaking Omega-3 alternative by upcycling wastewater from the whisky industry into nutrient-rich algae. This innovative solution addresses two significant environmental challenges: overfishing for Omega-3 production and the disposal of whisky byproducts.

For every litre of whisky produced, 15 litres of nutrient-rich byproducts are generated. MiAlgae uses this surplus as feedstock for growing microalgae in large fermenters powered by renewable energy. The resulting algae, rich in Omega-3, is turned into aquafeed and pet food, eliminating the need to catch wild fish for fishmeal.

One tonne of MiAlgae’s product generates as much Omega-3 as 620,000 fish, saving nearly 40,000 kg of CO2 emissions. In 2024 alone, the company recycled enough whisky wastewater to fill 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools, demonstrating the scalability of its circular model.

A finalist for the 2024 Earthshot Prize, MiAlgae is scaling operations to become a global leader in sustainable food production, driving innovation that revives marine ecosystems and reduces reliance on finite resources.

Image Credit: Sophie Gerrard/Earthshot Prize